Metropolitan Museum of Art

About

The Metropolitan Museum of Art stands as one of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions, welcoming over 6 million visitors annually to explore its vast collection of art spanning civilizations and centuries. Located on Manhattan's Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue, the Met houses more than 2 million works across 17 curatorial departments, from ancient Egyptian tombs and Greek sculptures to European paintings and contemporary installations.

Visitors can wander through reconstructed period rooms, including a Ming Dynasty garden court and Frank Lloyd Wright's living room from Little Falls, Minnesota. The Egyptian Art collection features the stunning Temple of Dendur, housed in its own glass-walled gallery overlooking Central Park. European paintings showcase masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso, while the Arms and Armor galleries display centuries of craftsmanship from around the globe.

The museum's rooftop garden, open seasonally, offers spectacular views of Central Park and Manhattan's skyline while featuring contemporary sculpture installations. Special exhibitions rotate regularly, bringing world-renowned traveling shows and highlighting specific artists or movements.

Planning tip: The Met operates on a 'pay-what-you-wish' basis for New York State residents and students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Others pay the suggested admission. Consider downloading the Met's app for self-guided tour options, or join one of the many daily guided tours led by knowledgeable docents. The museum spans over 2 million square feet, so prioritize the galleries that interest you most - you could easily spend days exploring every corner.

Accessibility

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides comprehensive accessibility throughout its Fifth Avenue location. The museum offers step-free access for wheelchair users, with a convenient street-level entrance located at 81st Street and Fifth Avenue where wheelchairs and coat check are immediately available. For visitors arriving by vehicle, there's a pick-up stop near the Postern entrance that provides transportation to and from an accessible entrance inside the Museum's courtyard.

Inside, the Met offers free manual wheelchair rentals and maintains accessible restrooms throughout the building. Visual accessibility features include large print wall labels and braille publications for visitors with visual impairments. For hearing accessibility, the museum provides assistive listening systems, ASL multimedia guided tours, live interpretation services, transcripts, and real-time captioning for programs and events.

The museum also offers verbally described tours for visitors with visual impairments, providing detailed descriptions of artworks and exhibitions. Staff are trained to assist visitors with disabilities and can help coordinate special accommodations when needed. Most galleries and exhibition spaces are accessible via elevators, allowing full access to the museum's extensive collection across multiple floors.

For the most current accessibility information and to arrange specific accommodations, contact the museum directly before your visit, as services and features may vary seasonally or during special exhibitions.

More accessible places in New York

• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York City)
• Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York City)
• Top of the Rock (New York City)
• Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island (New York City)
• Intrepid Museum (New York City)